A Companion for the Count

A Regency Romance (Clairvoir Castle Romances, Book 2)

By: Sally Britton

Narrated by: Jessica Elisa Boyd

Miss Emma Arlen’s position as a companion never included distracting her mistress’ suitors, but when a handsome Italian ambassador arrives determined to find an English bride, Emma happily takes up the cause.

Emma Arlen has spent a decade as a member of the duke’s family, in the position of companion to his daughter and ward to the duke himself. She would do anything to show her support to the ducal family for their love and kindness. When Lady Elinor begs Emma to distract a most determined Sicilian suitor, she agrees at once. How hard can it be to keep one man entertained for a few weeks?

Luca, the Conte di Atella, left his home in the newly formed Kingdom of the Two Sicilies under the direct orders of King Ferdinand I. Luca’s duty as ambassador to England includes everything from negotiating better trade agreements to strengthening the bonds between the two nations. If possible, by marrying a lady of high birth. When he optimistically sets his sights on Lady Elinor, Miss Arlen consistently disrupts his plans. The more time that passes, the more he realizes he does not mind at all.

Continually in the conte’s company, Emma recognizes in him a spirit of adventure and nobility like she has never witnessed before. When the time comes for him to go, will she be able to part with him and keep her heart intact?

As the second standalone novel in a new series by author Sally Britton, this story continues the Clairvoir Castle romances. This is a light-hearted, romantic series set in the Regency period.

First in Series: Mr. Gardiner and the Governess

Sally Britton's other works include:

The Inglewood Romances:

Rescuing Lord Inglewood

Discovering Grace

Saving Miss Everly

Engaging Sir Isaac

Reforming Lord Neil

And her seven novels in the Branches of Love Series.

©2021 Sally Britton (P)2021 Sally Britton

Loved it!

Another fun sweet book by Sally. what else could you ask for a handsome Italian Count, a best friend/companion of the Duke's daughter and pasta! The narrator did a wonderful job of changing voices and keeping me enthralled. definitely recommend!

Good narration, quick, light romance.

This is a good quick read (listen). I liked the elements slightly different from most regencies- a main character from Italy and exploring that culture, etc. The narrator has a soothing voice and it was enjoyable to listen to.

A sweet and engaging story that readers will adore

Author Sally Britton has written a sweet and engaging Regency love story in her novel A Companion for the Count. This is a fantastic friends to lovers romance. Readers will immediately fall in love with Emma Arlen, her kindness and humor are a delight. And Count di Atella, better known as Luca and his Italian heritage are charming and fun to learn about. Readers will be enthralled as the friendship and love blossom between Emma and Luca. This heart-warming sweet romance is one that readers will be drawn to.

Genre: clean, regency, romance
Publisher: Pink Citrus Books
Publication date: July 9, 2021
Number of pages: 249

Other books in the series:
1-Mr. Gardiner and the Governess

Audio narration:

Narrator Jessica Elisa Boyd did a splendid performance for A Companion for the Count by Sally Britton. Readers will easily be drawn into the story with the various voices and feeling put into the delightful characters.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

great story!

great story! great narrator! I especially enjoyed this audiobook because it was super helpful with the Italian words (: it was beautiful to hear them, I could not have read/pronounced them correctly on my own.

A Sweet Regency

Do you ever read a book and a certain scene just has all the feels??? Ya girl there's a scene in this book in front of the magnolia tree and it's not even a first kiss. *Le sigh* So many emotions, so many things unsaid, so much confusion. Just beautifully written.

Since I listened to it through an audiobook, Luca sounded like a sexy vampire. I am not complaining except there were no vampires. ( Listen I have a vivid imagination and it gets away from me sometimes.) He is so sweet and he has the ability to make conversation over pasta instructions.

Emma is just a great friend and a wonderful person. I adore the connection she developed with the count.

Just a delightful afterglow after listening to this one.

Thank you Sally for the ability to listen to the audiobook.

A bit of intrigue and a delightful romance

This was a great follow up to Mr Gardiner and The Governess (which is still my favorite). I love these kinds of series where we get to follow up a bit on other characters from earlier books. I already was a big fan of Emma from the first book so it was delightful to follow her as she comes to know (and love) Luca, the ambassador. Their feelings build slowly as they come to know one another and an endearing friendship ensues. But sparks begin to be felt as each wonders if this could become more. There is a nasty villain whose intrigue eventually is also revealed. I loved the ending and the ultimate depth of their love and appreciation for one another and am now truly looking forward to Andrew and Josie’s story.

The narrator did a splendid job on the audiobook rendition of this one!

Fabulous Regency Romance with Italian flair

Loved listening to the audiobook version of A Companion for the Count! Sally Britton creates a memorable story that really draws you in with endearing characters that you want to see succeed. She’s honestly one of my favorite authors, especially because of the careful detail she puts into each of her books.

The story takes place in Regency England right after the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was established. This was such an interesting aspect of history that was new to me and I enjoyed learning more about it through this story. Luca is the fictional ambassador from this newly established Kingdom whose goals are to further diplomatic relations with England and secure a prominent English bride. When he stays with the Duke of Montfort, he tries to woo the duke’s daughter Lady Josephine. Josephine however is not interested in marriage and asks her companion Emma to distract the Count. Emma is not only Josephine’s companion and friend, but the duke’s ward. As Luca spends more time with the intelligent, fun, circumspect Emma, his friendship and admiration of her grows into something more, but can he afford to fall in love with the companion?

Emma and Luca were such great characters! I loved watching as their relationship grew from friendship to love. I loved when Luca and Emma made pasta together and met in the duchess’garden. The side characters are interesting as well and nicely forward the story along. There’s plenty of intrigue, misunderstandings, and pure romance that kept me wanting to listen to just one more chapter.

The narrator did a fantastic job of giving a distinct voice to each character including a delightful Italian accent. It was easy to listen to her narration and it definitely kept my attention.

This book can be read as a stand alone. However, readers of the first book in the series will enjoy seeing those characters from the previous book again. Highly recommend this book and look forward to the next book in the series! I received a complimentary copy from the author for my honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.

squeaky clean Regency romance

An enjoyable read for the squeaky clean Regency romance lover.

I listened to this book on Audible and the narration was well done. I enjoyed the accents and varied voices for the characters and hearing the Italian words spoken correctly.

The story was sweet if somewhat predictable but we know what to expect when we read the same authors again and again because that's what we like!

Sweet love story

If you are looking for a book full of angst, drama or high adventure, this book is not for you. This is a love story written with characters who are strong, intelligent, who support and banter with one another. It was a refreshingly easy listen. :)

Always a winner

This author is a guaranteed "enjoy" for me. Her books are focused on the storyline, characters, interesting relationships, and so on. I love that they are clean and don't rely on cheap, lazy fillers like exhaustive and repetitive internal thoughts, instant lust, and ponderous intimate scenes. Another well-done book and excellent narration. My only disappointment was the accent of the Count. It was a little jarring, but the story was engaging, so my mind got used to it. Please take a break from the American West, and give us more in this genre.